This lesson teaches children that God takes care of His people, even when life gets hard and food runs low. It is made for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God takes care of His people. Even when times are hard, He provides for the family He loves, and we can trust Him to keep His promises.
Memory Verse
Genesis 47:12
Joseph nourished his father, his brothers, and all of his father’s household, with bread, according to their families.
(WEB)
Have the children stand up and rub their tummies slowly as they say the verse together. Then have them open their hands wide like they are receiving bread from a friend. Repeat it three times, speeding up each time.
The Story: Genesis 47 for Kids
A long time ago, there was a great famine, which means there was almost no food anywhere. Joseph was a leader in Egypt, and he had saved up grain so the people would have something to eat. Joseph’s family back in the land of Canaan was running out of food too.
Joseph’s brothers had once done a very bad thing to him, but God turned it around for good. Now Joseph went to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and told him that his father Jacob and his brothers had come to live in the land of Goshen. Pharaoh asked the brothers what work they did, and they said, “We are shepherds, just like our fathers.”
Pharaoh told Joseph, “Give your family the best land in Egypt. Let them live in Goshen.” Joseph brought his old father, Jacob, to meet the king. Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and then Joseph gave his whole family a home and food to eat, so no one went hungry.
The famine lasted for years, and the people of Egypt ran out of money to buy grain. Joseph helped them trade their animals and their land for bread, so they could keep living. God was helping His people through Joseph, even in a hard time.
Read It Together
Genesis 47:5-6
5 Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying, “Your father and your brothers have come to you. 6 The land of Egypt is before you. Make your father and your brothers dwell in the best of the land. Let them dwell in the land of Goshen. If you know any able men among them, then put them in charge of my livestock.”
(WEB)
Point out that Pharaoh welcomed Joseph’s family and gave them a good place to live. Ask the children how God can help us feel at home when we are far from where we started.
Genesis 47:13-14
13 There was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very severe, so that the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine. 14 Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the grain which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house.
(WEB)
Show how the famine was very serious, and Joseph gathered grain to help everyone. Remind the children that God can use the gifts and choices of people to care for others.
Genesis 47:23-24
23 Then Joseph said to the people, “Behold, I have bought you and your land today for Pharaoh. Behold, here is seed for you, and you shall sow the land. 24 It will happen at the harvests, that you shall give a fifth to Pharaoh, and four parts will be your own, for seed of the field, for your food, for them of your households, and for food for your little ones.”
(WEB)
Explain that Joseph gave the people seed so they could plant again and have food in the future. Point out that God cares about tomorrow as well as today.
Talk About It
- What do you think Joseph’s family felt when they found out there was food in Egypt?
- How did God take care of Jacob and his family even when there was a famine?
- Can you think of a time when someone helped you when you needed it most?
- Why do you think Joseph shared the food instead of keeping it for himself?
- What is one thing you can trust God to do for you this week?
Activity Ideas
Wheat Field Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a few pieces of dried pasta or cereal. Have each child draw a field with a big sun, then glue a few pieces of dry cereal along the bottom to look like grain. As they draw, talk about how Joseph gathered grain to feed everyone in the famine.
Shepherd Says Walk
Play a version of Simon Says, but call it “Shepherd Says.” Give simple commands like “Shepherd says walk slowly” or “Shepherd says gather the sheep.” Explain that Joseph’s family were shepherds, and that God guides us like a good shepherd guides his flock.
Bread Bag Reminder
You will need a small paper bag or a sandwich bag, a slice of bread or a cracker, and a marker. Let each child write “God provides” on the bag and put the bread inside. Ask them to take it home and share the reminder with their family during dinner or at bedtime.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God works through people and circumstances to preserve His promises. Joseph’s family moved to Egypt during a famine, and God used that season to keep the family alive and growing. The passage also reflects the deeper story of God’s faithfulness to the covenant made with Abraham.
Be careful not to suggest to children that God always rewards faithful people with comfort or wealth. The point is that God provides in His timing and His way, and that He is faithful even when we cannot see the outcome.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You for taking care of us just like You cared for Jacob and Joseph’s family. Help us remember that You provide for us every day, and help us trust You when things feel hard. Teach us to share what we have with others, just as Joseph did. Amen.
